Foldable sled



Jn. z, 1923. 1,440,784

J. H. KONIGSBERG ET AVAI.. f

FoLDABLE SLED .WJ FILED MAY 9. 1921. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 7 l 7 7 Afro/mr Jan. 2, 1923.

3 SHEETS-SHEET? J. H. KONIGSBERG ET AL.

FOLDABLE SLED Fl LED MAY 9, 192] Patented dan. 2, i923.

JOSEEHH. KONIGSB-RG AND LOUIS KLEIN, OF'NEW YORK, N.

ronniizenn snap.

Application mea May 9,

To @ZZ whom t may concer-a:

Be it known that we, Josnrrr H. -Konrcsenne and Lotus KLEIN, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of New York, in the counties of Kings and Bronx, respectively, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful .nr provements in Foldable Sleds, of kwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to foldable sleds, and has for its object the provision of a simple, light weight and efficient sled, strong enough to withstand hard usage, though adapted to be quickly and easily collapsed to lit into a comparatively small space.

A further object of this invention is the provision in a folding sled, of a simple, detachable and readily foldable steering attachment, foldable runners and foldable braces for said sled, all of which parts while of the full strength needed for an article of this character, are designed to occupy a minimum amount of space in the folded position thereof. y

A still further object of this invention is the provision of means for preventingthe collapse of the sled parts and for maintaining said parts in their extended positions while said sledis in use.

Other objects of this invention will appear as the detailed description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show the preferred forms of our improved sled.

ln the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of our invention as it appears in its exit-ended position. Fig. 2 is a top plan Vview of the same, the top fbeing partly broken away to show the structure underneath. Fig. 3 is a side eleva-tion of the same. Fig. l is a front end elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a rear end elevation of the sled in its folded position. Fig. -6 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the catch for locking the steering handle in position, taken on the line 4l-7 of Fig. 2. TFig. 8 is a horizontal section of the saine on tho line 8MB of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the means for maintaining the cross bracel in its extended position, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 2. Fig. y10 is a horizontal section of the cross brace taken on line lO-lO of Fig. 9. ll is a vertical section of the hinge for the sled top taken on line llpll of Fig. 2.

Fig. l2 is 1921. LSerialfl\l"o. 467,880.

a horizontal section of the same taken on line 12-l2 of F ig. l1.

The illustrated embodiment of our inven tion being substantially symmetrical abouta vertical central plane, a description of one half thereof will suflice. The invention c omprisesa top 20 foldable about its middle, runners which are inwardly foldable toward the said top, and foldable cross braces acting to maintain the runners nor-` mally in their extended positions, each'of which parts will. now be taken up in detail. The top is made of two separable members 2O which are foldably secured together by means of a strap hinge as 21., Each of the members of said hinge has a substantially right angle bend therein, the

horizontal part 23 thereof being ysecured to the under side of said sled top members 2() as by meansr of the rivets 22, while the vertical vparts 24 terminate in the hinge 21 and are held together lby the pivotal pin 25. Near the bends-thereof, the parts 23 are preferably odset outwardly toward the sled ends as `at 26 (Fig. 2) in order to bring` the hinge 2las far forward as possible to allow room enouglrfor'the cross brace to partially clear said hinge in the extended position of thepar'ts, as willbe more fully described hereinafter.k

vIt will be understood from the drawings that substantially similar hinge and cross members are provided, one of each ateach end of the sled. At the outer extremities oil each of tl e members 2e, a hinge 27 connects'each end of each of said members with one of the runners 28, about which hinge the runners may be folded inwardly 5), part of said hinge being preferably formed from said members21l, and part from said runner, a projection 28 extending outwardly from said runner for limiting the 'outwardorunfolding movement of the foldable runnerto `a lposition substantially at right angles to the top 20. y

For normally maintaining said runners in the operative positions thereof, suitable foldable cross braces 29vare provided.` Said braces are preferably lfshaped in cross section, the upper and lower flanges 30 and 3l respectively thereof, being arranged preferably by means `vof the half lap joints as'32 and 3% to lit into the hinge 2l for holding the hinge pa 2.4L. securely together against possibility or opening apart in the operative or llO wardly by the' steering operation,

unfolded position of the sled. The ends 34 of said cross braces are enlarged, the upper corners of the enlargement being preferably bevelled to clear the runner hinge 27. The pivot pin 36 passes though the cylindical bearing 37 of said brace and is suitably secured to the top 20, said pin 36 being disposed preferably on one side of the center line of the sled in such a manner that each of said braces is pivoted on said hinge to a different one of the parts 20 of said top, and in the folded position of said top and said braces, allows the collapse of the parts without interference with each other. (Figs. 5 and 6). Said ends 34 of the braceare adapted to seat themselves on `the projectH ing brackets 42 of the runners, a stop lug 4B on the runners above said brackets serving` to limit the possible rotary movement of the brace about the pivot 86, while the catch pin 40 is adapted to be pressed inwardly into the hole 39 by the top of the bracket 42, at the time that the brace is bes ing swung into its folded or operative position. As said brace reaches said position, the pin 40 is released and being urged down the spring 42, is pushed out beyond the bottom of the extension. 38, whereby said pin acts as a stop for preventing the brace from rotating baclr to its unfolded position due to the vibrations or shocks to which the sled may be subjected, the lug 48 acting to prevent movement of the brace past the operative position thereof during the unfolding operation, whereby both ends of the brace are controlled and maintained in the proper positions.

The mechanism for steering our improved sled comprises the usual steering arm 44, removably connected to the runners 28 by means more fully described hereinafter and operatively connected to the top 2O by means of the link 45, which is secured at 46 as by means of a suitable bolt and wing nut to said steering arm tightly enough to cause said linlr and arm to act said link being pivoted to said top at 47, about which point said arm is adapted to be rotated when pressure is put upon said arm for warping the runners. l i f At the front ends thereof, the runners 28 are preferably depressed to allow'thesaid steering arm 44 and the linlr 45 connected thereto to fold under said top 2O as will be understood from Fig. l. -The hinge 48 hav-- ing one leaf 49 thereof secured to the end of the steering arm 44 serves to removably coni nect said arm to said runners, which are suitably grooved at the front ends thereof as at 59, to receive the projections 5l of said leaf 49 loosely, whereby said steering arm is prevented from sliding unduly relatively 'to said ruimen suitable latch member .'32 is secured to the under side of said steering as a uni-t during.

arm and is adapted to receive the catcn 53 carried by the rod 54 which is suitably mounted in said leaf 49 of the hinge 48, and which is urged by the spring 55 into engagement with said catch 52, a handle 57 being secured to said rod 54, and projecting through a suitable slot 56 in said leaf 49, whereby said catch may be released by pressing the handle 57 baclnvardly against the action of the spring 55A (Figs. 7 and 8).

The operation of our improved sled is as follows:

lt being assumed that the sled is in its unfolded or operative position, and that it is desired to fold up said sled for packing away or for any other purpose, the steering arm 44 is first disconnected from the runners 28 by first sliding bach-the catch 53, then swinging the leaf 49 about its pivot 48 until said leaf clears the runner, then loosening the wing nut of the bolt 46, after which the entire steering arm together with the link 45 may be readily folded under'- neath the top 20 as will be seen from Fig. 6, the leaf 49 being allowed to snap bach into the latch. provided therefor, out of the way. The cross braces 29 may now be swung about their pivots 36 out of engagement with the brackets 42 into the positions shown in 5 and 6, theend 4l. of the pin 40 riding up on said bracket only when a brace is intentionally swung about its pivot, whereby the runners are completely freed and may be rotzdcecL about the hinges 27 to reach points comparatively close to the top '20.

After the cross braces and runners have been folded, the final step in the folding operation is the rotation of .said top members 20 about the pin 25 of the hinge 2l, which is readily accomplished. lit will bel seen vthatin the completely folded position of the sled,

said sled occupies about one quarter of thev volume it occupies when expanded, the consequent advantages being obvious. it will also be seen that by yreason of the peculiar construction of our improved sled, the parts may be made of very light material, while at the same time maximum strength for the purposes involved may be attained. it will also be understood that various changes may be made in the mechanism shown without departing from the spirit of our invention, such as changes in theshape and mounting` of the cross braces, in the hinge construction, and in the means for securing the steering arm to the runners.

`We claim: i

l. ln a foldable sled, a top foldable about its middle comprising a pairof substantially similar units arranged with the acent edges thereof along` the middleof said top, runners, hinges joining said runners to said. top, a rig'd one-piece cross brace independent of said runners adapted to entend aleross the width of said top to engage said runners,

llO

a pin passing through lsaid top ,and said brace for pivoting said brace to said top, and means toi' detachably maintaining said brace in its operativeposition.

2. A foldable sled comprising avlongitudinally toldable top having a pair oi' substantially similar units arranged with the adliacent edges thereof along the middle of said top, a pair oi runners, hinges foldably joining said runners to said top, and rigid, unitary, ioldable means independent of said runners 'for detachably maintaining said riiiiners'in the operative positions thereof.

3. A. itoldable sled comprising a longitudinally Jiioldable top comprising a pair ot' v similar' members, a pair of runners, hinges joining said runners to said top, rigid, unitary cross braces pivoted to and adapted to extend across the entire width oi said top, said cross braces beingindependent ot said runners in the inoperative positions thereof, and foldable means adapted to be removably connected to said runners for steering said sled.

d. A foldable sled comprising a longitudinally oldable top comprising a pair of similar members, foldable runners, foldable means for maintaining said runners in the operative positions thereof, toldable steering means adapted to be removably connected to said runners and means for locking said steering means in the operative position thereof.

5. In a oldable sled, a top i'oldable about its middle, a pair of runners hinged to said top, a cross brace adapted to engage both of said runners pivoted to said top, a spring pressed rod for engaging a runner and for maintaining said brace in its unfolded position, icoldable steering means and means for detacliably locking said steering means to said runners.

G. lin a foldable sled, a toldable top coinprising a pair of substantially similar members, a strap hinge joining said members, said hinge comprising a pair of leaves each having a strap adapted to extend across the width of said top members, and a portion bent substantially at right angles to said strap.

7. In a folda-ble sled, a foldable top, a pair oi' hinge members each having a right angle bend therein secured to said top,a pin oii which the extremities of said hinge portions are pivoted, oldable runners, a cross brace adapted to engage said runners, and means at the points where said cross brace meets said hinge members for preventing the opening of said hinge when the cross brace is in its extended position.

8. In a toldable sled, a top, foldable runners, and means for bracing said runners and said top comprising a lever pivoted near one end thereof, a bracket on each ot said runners, and a spring pressed pin carried by vsaid brace and cooperating with l'said -braclret for vpreventing movement of said brace out of its operative position.

9. ln a Joldable sled, a steering arm, a i

ing a hinge secured to said arm, a leali` on said hinge adapted to encompass a part oinA a runner, a spring pressed latch carried by said leaf, and a catch 'on said arm torengaging said latch.

l0. ln a foldable sled, a top, steeringl means, a pair of runners, said steering means comprising a steering arm, hinged means for detachably securing said arm secured to said runners, and a linlr attached at the center oi? sai-d arm for connecting said arm to said top. y 4

- l1. Ina toldable sled., a top adapted to be folded longitudinally about its center line, a pair oi. runners each adapted to ybe tolded underneath a top section, hinges connecting said runners to said top, and cross braces for said runners independent ot' said runners in the inoperative positions thereof, each of said braces being pivoted underneath one of the top sections and being adapted to be swung to a position wherein the longitudinal airis of said cross brace isparallel to the longitudinal axis oit said sled.

l2. ln a oldable sled, a top adapted to be 'folded longitudinally, a pair of foldable runners, cross braces for said runners and said top each adapted to be swung to aposition lengthwise of a top section, and 'steering means removably connectable to said runners and adapted to be swung underneath a top section to a position substantially lengthwise of said section.

13. ln a oldable sled, a top toldable longitudinally, runners hinged to said top,

a pivoted cross brace for supporting said.

top and saidv runners, a spring pressed rod for engaging a runner for maintaining a brace in its unfolded position, a stoplug on each runner for cooperation with said rod,

a steering arm, and means for detachably securing said arm to said runners comprising a hinge adapted to encompass a part of a runner, a spring pressed latch carried by said hinge, and a catch on said arm for engaging said latch.

14. ln a oldable sled, a oldable top coiii.-

prising a pair oit' substantially similar meinbers, a pair otrunners, a strap hinge connecting saidmembers, said hinge comprising a pair of leaves each having a strap adapted to extend across the width oi' said top members, and a portion bent substantially at right angles to said strap, a hinge portion on a runner adapted to engage the extremity of said strap, a cross brace pivoted to a top member, and means adapted to en gage said runners for maintaining said' cross brace in its extended position.

15. ln a oldable sled, a toldable tcp comprising a pair .of substantially rectangular' top members, a strap hinge joining said members, said hinge comprising a pair of leaves each having a strap portion secured to the under side of a top member, a portion bent substantially at right angles to said strap portion, runners hinged to the outer extremities of said strap portions,and a cross brace adapted to support said top members and said runners in thev operative positions thereof0 16. In a foldable sled, a *lfoldable top comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a pair of runners, a strap hinge secured to the under side of said members and to said runners for liinging said members to eacli other and to a runner, a cross brace pivoted to one of' said top members, means on said runner for supporting said brace in the operative position thereof, means 'for engaging said brace supporting ai naam/ei means' for preventing displacement of said brace, means for preventing` tlie opening or' said hinge when said brace is in its operative position, and oldable means for steen ing said sled.

17. In a oldable sled, a top foldable about its longitudinal center line, comprising a pair oic substantially rectangular members, a brace pivoted on one side of its center to each or' said members, a hinge secured to the under side of each of said members, a bent portion on said hinge by means of which said top members may be folded, a pair ot runners, a second hinge at thev extremities of said irst hinge for t'oldably securing ra runner to a top member, means on said runner for supporting a brace, steering means, and means for detacliably securing said stering means to said runners.

JOSEPH H. KONGSBERG. LOUS KLEN. 

